THE NEW CATHEDRAL, CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 7, 14 February 1901, Page 3

THE NEW CATHEDRAL, CHRISTCHURCH.

4 _ THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE.

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. (From our own correspondent.) Last Sunday will long be remembered as one of the most remarkable days in the history of Chrißtchurch. On that day. amidsb solemn ceremonies and every evidenoe of popular rejoicirp, was laid the foundation stone of the great new Cathedral, whih will endure to ages as the monument of the episcopacy of the first Catholic Bishop of Christohurch. In every respect the memorable function of last Sunday was a signal success— in the number of distinguished prelates and of the clergy who were gathered together from all parts of New Zealand and from Australia to take part in the solemnities of the occasion ; in the high level of eloquence reached by those who • divided the word ' ; in the great concourse of the laity who filled the Pro-Cathedral at Pontifical High Mass and Veapere, and who in the afternoon filled the broad space on which the new Temple is to rise in its symmetry and majesty ; and in the sheer earnestness, and even enthusiasm, for the prosecution of the good work whioh found a highly practical and tangible expression in the munifloent donations that were placed on the foundation ■tone. The site of the new Cathedral, the avenue leading from Barbadoes street to the Bishop's House, and the passage thence to the Pro-Cathedral were elaborately decorated, and made a festive scene bright with many arches, flags, long festoons of evergreens and colored drapery, flowers, Chinese lanterns, mottoes of welcome, etc. The Pro-Cathedral was also handsomely decorated with banners evergreens, and suitable hangings of various hues. THE RECEPTION. Great and general regret was expressed at the fact that hia Eminence the Cardinal-Archbishop of Sydney was unable, owing to his duties at Bathurst and the pressure of nrgent diocesan cares, to lay the foundation stone of the new Cathedral, as he h&d intended, on last Sunday. His place was, however, admirably filled by another learned and distinguished prelate, the Moat Rev. Dr. Carr, Arohbishop of Melbourne. His Grace, accompanied by Most Rev. Dr. Redwood (Archbishop of Wellington), Right Rev. Dr. Verdon (Bishop of Dunedin), Right. Rev. MoneigDor O'Reilly (representing the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan, Bishop of Auckland), Monsignor O'Leary (Lawrence), and several other clergy, arrived from Wellington via the West Coast at 6.30 on Saturday evening. At 6.15 p.m. a long procession set out from the episcopal repidence to meet the distinguished visitors. It was headed by the Stanmore Brass Band and followed by the various Catholic Societies and members of the Church, and the carriages of the Jiishon of Cbristchurch and clergy. The procession proceeded to the railway station, and upon the arrival of the train the visitors were heartily welcomed by Bishop Grimes, and the procession then proceeded to the presbytery. The members of the Hibernian A.C.B. Society formed a guard of honor at the station, and after a short interval the procession was reformed and proceeded by way of Barbadoes street and Ferry road to the episcopal residence. After robing the distinguished ecclesiastics went along with the clergy in procession to the Pro-Cathedral, when the following address of welcome from the clergy and laity was read by Mr. E. O'Connor, and handed to Archbishop Carr : — ADDRESS. To His Grace the Most Rev. Thomas Joseph Carr, D.D., Archbishop of Melbourne. We, the clergy and laity of the diocese of Christchurch, desire to express our sincere gratitude to your Grace, to Archbishop Redwood, and to the other illustrious prelates and clergy, by whose presence we are honored on this solemn occasion of laying the foundation Btone of our new Cathedral, and we fully appreciate the great personal sacrifice and risks entailed in undertaking the wearisome journey to our shores. Through your Grace we beg to offer our own beloved Bishop most hearty congratulations on the inauguration of the work of erecting to the greater honor and glory of God such a noble pile as the new Cathedral will prove to be. The incessant labors of his. Lordship during the past few years in raising funds for the object so dear to his heart have evoked our warmest admiration, and deserved our earnest thanks and constant prayers. The magnificent result of the efforts made by your Grace in completing the grand Cathedral of St. Patrick in your own archiepisoopal city, an enduring memorial of your zeal, activity and devotedness to our holy Faith ; the multiplication of educational and charitable institutions, and introduction of numerous religious Orders into the archdiocese of Melbourne ; your fearless advocacy of, and diligent watchfulness over Catholic interests are all objects of ardent rejoicing and our heartiest congratulations. In the world of letters the profound wisdom and deep learning, the faoile and inexhaustible genius exhibited in your writings have, in the Australasian states, as well as in New Zealand, elicited universal oommendation. We are cognizant aIBO of how much the recent remarkably successful Catholic Catholic Congress held in Sydney is indebted to the efforts and assistance of your Grace and your diocesans. We earnestly hope and pray that you may sucoeed in all your projects, and be long spared to further extend the influence of our holy Faith and to assists in the vindication of truth and right in all things. We trust that the visit of your Grace and of the other distinguished prelates and ecclesiastics, who have accompanied you to our city, may be a pleasant one, and we hope at no

distant date to again welcome you all to Ohristchuroh on the occasion of the completion of the great work now so auspiciously commenced. Signed on behalf of the clergy and laity — Th. Lk Mknant PBg Chesnais, S.M., V.G. H. C. Bowbes. M. T. Marnane, S.M. GbObUik. Ci.IKFOED. M. Donnelly. E. O'Connob. The address was in album form, beautifully bound in leather. On the front page there was a perspective view of the new cathedral, the address proper oommenoing on the second page and continuing on the third. The first sheet of the address consisted of an ecclesiastical tablet, the several borders of which were in cream, blue, and pink respectively, with enrichments of gold ornamentation. The centre, portion of the tablet had a semi-circular head, the corners being enriched with symbolic designs. The heading of the address was worked on a pale-blue ground in old English letters with medieval capitals, the texts being in old English lettering with gold capitals, all being artistically executed. On the last sheet was a well-drawn representation of the Archbishop's crest. The address was prepared by Mr A. H. Hart, of Christchurch, and the bindingwa* done by the Prrst Company. His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne, in reply, said that he did not know what he had done that he should have been the recipient of so much honor, which he thought should have been given to the illustrious metropolitan of the province — the Archbishop of Wellington. He felt deep regret that his Eminence the Cardinal had not been able to carry out the wish of his heart to be with them that evening, and also on the occasion of the solemn blessing and laying of the foundation stone of the new Cathedral on the following day. He desired to congratulate his Lordship Bishop Grimes and the clergy and people of the diocese on entering upon their great and noble work. He himself had had some experience of the amonnt of work and labor involved in the building of a Cathedral, and judging from this he had no doubt that the beautiful Cathedral of Christchurch would rise completed very quickly, to the glory of God and the beautifying of the city. It would be a memorial not only to the piety and self-sacrifice of the Catholics of Christchurch, but also a glory to all the people. When the work of building St. Patrick's, Melbourne, was begun in 1867 the population of Melbourne was not equal to that of Christchuroh at present. It might be an ambitious project to build such a magnificent Cathedral here, but he felt sure that the work they intended to commence to-morrow would progress successfully to its completion, and that it would be built in the same spirit which had animated the people of Melbourne in building St. Patrick's. He had seen the plans of the propoaed Cathedral here, and they were worthy of the Catholic faith and the piety of an y people in the world. He congratulated once more his Lordship Bishop Grimes, tlie clergy, and the people on the work which they had set their hands to. The address referred to the inconvenience that he had bten put to in coming to New Zt aland. He might say that any inconvenience that he might have suffered was more than amply repaid by what he had seen during his visit. Last Sunday he, with other visiting prelates, had officiated at the dedication of the beautiful basilica as Wellington, which was intended to be used as a parish church : the foundation stone of the Cathedral being shortly to be laid. This was inspiriting, as showing that the Catholic faith was growing and increasing in New Zealand. Then, also, their Bishop intended laying the foundation stone of his Cathedral on the next day. When they found a people devoting their energies in building places for God's worship, religious education, or charitable works, they were giving the best proof that men could give of their sincerity and love of their faith. With the prelates who had accompanied him he had travelled through their noble country. He had seen scenery in Switzerland and throughout the Home Country, and where not only the beauty and grandeur bat the extent with which natural scenery had been lavished on New Zealand he had never peen anything like it in the world. He had been delight d to come, and his only regret was that his Eminence the Cardinal was not occupying the position he waß that evening, and also in the ceremony on the next day, and also that the metropolitan of the province, the Archbiehop of Wellington, had not taken the position. He (the Archbishop) had experienced so much kindness and that brotherly feeling which bound together the people of the Catholic Church, and he must indeed be cold if he did not appreciate the many joyous events which had been brought before him since he had come to New Zealand. In conclusion, he trusted that on the foundation which would be laid to-morrow there would rise the outline of a glorious building which, when they saw, they would not only see its material beauty, but also the spiritual good done. He felt most emphatically that the Bishop of the diocese not only did the right thing when he conceived the proposal to build the Cathedral, but he had done that whioh God would bless abundantly. In the future he felt sure the people would say of the Bishop, ' God bless him, and God reward him for having conceived so noble a work.' Archbishop Redwood also expressed his pleasure at being present, and thanked the people for their kind reception. The people of Christohurch had been famous for the hearty receptions they always accorded to Catholic prelates, and on behalf of himself and his fellow-visitors he expressed his appreciation of the good will. They were all pleased to be there to assist in the work of laying the foundation stone of the noble Cathedral whioh was now to be commenced. Bishop Grimes thanked the Archbishop of Melbourne for coming all the way from Australia to represent the Cardinal, who had written expressing his great regret at being unable to attend and lay the

f< JJ U £ d ?, t - ion Btone of the cc a fc hedral. He also tharked the Archbishop of Wellington and the other prelates who had come to assist in the ceremony. The function in the Pro-Cathedral concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. THE PONTIFICAL lIA^. On Sunday, at eleven o'clock, a Solemn PonHfical M»«s wa" celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral by the Ri»ht Rev Or VerdonBmliup of DuneJin. The Assistant Frit-si, wis Ut-v It. W. Clruij (Editor N.Z. Tahlet) ; Very Rev. Fa'her O I) >nnell. deacon ; Rev. Ml. AUmaue, nubdeaoon , V cry Rev. Father liowen, iir-t uiaMri oi feremoniea ; Rev. Father McDonnell, second master of ceremonies. In the choir were the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Archbishop of Wellington, the Bishop of Christchurch. the Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly (Auckland) ; Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay (Oamaru) ; Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary (Lawrence) ; Very Rev. Dean Martin. S.M., ViceProvincial ; Very Rev. Father Lewis, S.M., V.G. (Wellington) ; Very Rev. Dean Mahoney, S.M. (Nelson) ; Very Rev. 11.I 1 . Smvth, KM. (Hastings) ; Very Rev. J. McNamara, S.M. (Napier) ; Very Rev. Father Boyle, S.M. (Ashfield, Sydney, N.S W.) ; Very Rev Father Henry, M.S H. (Sydney) ; Rev. J. Coffey (Dunedin) ; Rev P. Fay (Blenheim) ; Rev. Father Walsh ; and th 9 following clergy of the diocese of Christchurch :— Very Rev. T. Le Menant des Chesnais, S.M., V.G. ; Very Rev. Dean Foley, S M. ; Very Rev. L. M. Ginaty, S.M. ; Rev. S. Dunham ; Rev. R. Richards ; Rev. W. Hyland ; Rev. F. Price ; Rev. L. Fauvel, S.M. ; Rev. S. Chastagnon ; Rev J. Tubman, S.M. ; Rev. P. Regnault, S M. ; Rev. P. Bogue ; Rev. D. O'Hallohan ; Rev. W. King ; Rev. D. Malone, S.M. ; Rev F. Lfc Petit S.M. ; Rev. J. Goggan, S.M. ; Rev. D. Gallais, S.M. ; Rev. I. Aubry R.M. ; Key. A. Galerne, S.M. ; Rev. J. O'Connell, S.M : Rev. F Crotty : Rev. P. Cooney ; Rev. F. Hiirgins ; Rev. L\ E. Kimbell S.M. ; Rev. Father Leen ; Rev. Father Kerley, S.M. THE SERMOX was preached by his Grace the Archbishop of Wellington, who took for his text St. John i. 14 : • And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. . . full of grace and truth,' saying that in these words was revealed the knowledge of the greatest truth regarding the whole system of Christianity, the truth of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The inspired Evangelist had written that the Word wa-i God. Christ had two natures, a human and Divine nature, and in this was the great relevation of the fundamental truths of humanity. Truth and Divine love were the greatest gifts bt stowed upon man. The Lord Je&us had walkid the earth as a speaker of truth, and He had made known to man the gre-xt supernatural truth, coming not to teach scientific or political truth, but supernatural and Divine truth, necessary to man to work out his own salvation, and to prepare himself ior h's divine de-tiny. Jesus had sent His Apostles to teach truth, mj ing. a.-, the Farh. r sent Me, I alto Fend you,' and these Apostles wetp to iorm a mystic body of Christ, to whom all power in heaven and eanh was given. Men were only human beings without grace. The required grace and strength of will to fulfil thf commandment* laid upon them by the Incarnate (rod. and they could not -o fulfil \uih their unaided faculties, but the Lord Jesus Christ m his admirable jiid sacred life had established a system whereby Man might obtain Grace and Strength. First was prayer, and secondly, that mysterious system of the seven Sacraments which Christ had established for His. Church, with power to administer until the end of time The first Sacrament was Baptism, and as in the natural life man netded first to be born, so by the Sacrament of Baptism he was born luto the supernatural life. Man n quired to grow up and be strengthened in hw natural body! and required the same in the spiritual bo.iy. That strengthening was supplied by the Sacrament of Continuation. In the natural life food to give strength wa3 required ; this whs neces-aty in the supernatural life, and was supplied by the Sacrament of ttie Holy Eucharist. That food supernatural was the bubhme Person i f Jesus Christ, and the food on which the Divine Shepherd »eri hi-t flocit being His own glorified body undt r the appearance of bread and wine. If the natural body was stricken by a disease it rqan d a remedy, and as the supernatural diaih of the soul was sin, the supernatural body found its remedy in the Sacrament of Penance, It was requisite that there should be a ministry of priests to confer the sacraments, and this was provided ia the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Then it wan necessary that the raw material, as it might be called, the natural body, should be preserved, and this was provided for in the Sacrament of Matrimony. It had been raised to the dignity of a sacrament and conferred upon man to enable him to bring up a family in the love of God. In the natural htestrength was required in the last hour when the soul was passing away, and as the soul required strengthening n»ainnt temptations the i>aurament of Extreme Unction was administered. This could all be applied to the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone, for the building of a church was the means established for the carrying out of the Divine programme. It will bo in that chun-h (*aid his Grace) that you will hear again and again the system of the Revealed Truth of Jesus Christ. It is there that your children will come to be laved in the sacred waters of Baptism, to become members of his fold and cifiz.us of his Eternal Kingdom. It is here you will come over aisd ov> r atrain to wash away your sins, to prepare joirselves to kneel at the Holy Table and partake of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, it is here the young will come to join their hanHs and their hearts for ever, to sanctify in them the very source or human life, the sacrament of Matrimony. It is there also from which the oils will go to anoint the ministers, to ordain the priesN, and the various other degrees of dignity in the new church. And po you have, in the fact of laying the foundation stone of a church, a great thing for you to pai take of the two greatest manifestations of Jesus Christ,

Ilia truth and His grace, but the laying of the foundation stone of a cathedral is something more than this, for all J have Baid bo far can be applied to any parish church in the land, but a cathedral is something more, indeed, than this. It i Bi B a gr^at centre of life became it is. indeed, through bishops ihat this iruth is to be* transmitted to mankind, and a cathedral is the church m which is found the seat of the bishcp. The cathedral is like a sun, a f-pintual sun. You know that the great orb that rolls in space and and communicates to this world of our* liuhf hi d henfc arid motion, is a type of that (jreat centie Jesus Chrn-t the centre of justice ; the cathedral cotnmuniciiTes Hi* light and His truth to the world and thus the vau.ius bishops throughout the world are like smaller nuns illuminated by the radiance of that great sun, .Jtsus Christ. So, my dear brethren, the laying of a foundation of a cathedral is a great and important evtnt wherever it occurs His Grace congratulated the congregation upon the greaUst day in thur great undertaking l neir bishop had come to part of the realisation of his great hope and desire to see a church erected worthy of the Divine majesty of God, and he (the preacher), tendered his warmest and Bincerest congratulations. In conclusion he said : It ia God's work, a great sublime, holy work, a great and lasting work, a work that will conler immortal honor upon yourselves and your district, that will be a glory and a charm to this city. It is the greatest work you have yet undertaken. You will rise nobly to the occasion, that you will give with the generosity for which you have been known in the past, you will make this a record day in every sense, so that your bishop will be proud of yon, and your doings will go forth to the land as a proof of your faith and your loyalty to Jesus Christ. and our Holy Church. THE MUSIC. The music of the Mass was Gounod's ' Messe Solennelle,' splendidly rendered by the choir, strengthened for the occasion. The soloists were :— Soprano, Miss Pender ; tenor, Mr. C Read ; and ba«s. Mr. E. McNamara. At the offertory Miss Moir sang Gounod* 1 Aye Maria ' with violin obligato by Mr. E. J. Painter. An efficient orchestra led by Mr. Painter did good work. Miss Funston presided at the organ and Mr. H. H. Loughnan conducted. LAYING THE FOUNDATION BTONE. At three p.m. the ceremony of laying the foundation stone wai performed by his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne, assisted by Very Rev. Dean Mahony and Father Aubry, S.M. Fifty ecclesiastic! wore present, and several thousand people surrounded the platform and extended into and along Barbadoes street. The musio inoidental to the ceremony was rendered by a choir under the oonductorship of Mr. Loughnan. A handsome silver trowel was presented to his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne by Mr. G. T. White. It bore the following inscription • ' Presented to his Grace the Most Rev. T Carr, D D , Archbißhop of Melbourne, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Cathedral Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Christchurch, New Zealand, Sexage«ima Sunday, February I<>. 1901. Right Key. J. J Grimeß, S.M. liinhop, (Jhristctiurch ; F. I'etre, aichitect ; J. and W. Jamießon contractors.' Copies of the N Z Tablet, of the local papers, and current coins of the realm were placed in a casket under the stone, together with a Latin inscription, of which the following is a translation : 'To God, the Mo^t Good, the Most Great. On Sexagesima Sunday February 10. 11*01. Leo XIII. being Pope ; in the first year of the reign of Edward VII., King of Great Britain : Lord Ranfurly being Governor af New Zealand and Mr. W. Keece Mayor of Chrißtchurch ; in the presence of the Most Rev. F. Redwood. S.M . Bishop of Wellington, the Right Rev. M. Verdo". Bishop of Dunedin, and of many of the clergy of New Zealand and a great concourse of people, the Most Rev. T. J. Carr. Archbishop of Melbourne, at the r< quest of the Right Rev. J. J. Grimt s, S.M.. first Bishop of Christen an h blessed and laid this foundation stone of the cathedral c Lurch to be erected in honor of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Architect, Mr. F. Petre ; contractors, Messrs. J. and W. JaiiiK « n ' When the stone had been well and truly laid, the Archbishop of Melbourne address, d the assemblage. He said that he felt greatly honored at being permifed to lay the foundation stone of the Christchurch Cathedral, and only regretted that he was taking the place of the Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney. He felt that there cjuld be no more acceptable offering to God as a mark of the Jubilee year of Canterbury than the offering they were making that day. In the remarks he wished to address to them that cay there were two considerations to be dealt with, (1) was the work acceptable to God ; (2) would He enable them to carry out the wcrk which they had begun. There was, he thought, no doubt at to the acceptability of the work to God. They saw everywhere in Nature what glorious temples God had erected in the world. If they looked at the^e minutely they would see the power and glory of God manifested. They read in the Scriptures that God had given minute directions as to the building of the Temple, and that expnss directions had been given as to the erection of the most beautiful building which had ever been erected by human hands. Solomon's Temple was so beautiful and gorgeous when completed that the priests could not minister in the sanctuary. There certainly was, therefore, ample proof in Scripture that the work they were doing that day would be acceptable to God. Now, as to the second consideration. Let him tell them what had been done by their forefathers. Moat of those present thin day were Irish, some Englibh and some Scotch. Their forefathers in thoee couutrits. it must be remembered, were not placed in co favorable a pos tion as they in these days were, nor had scienoe and art advanced as they had now. Yet they had seen that those who preceded them had erected most wonderful, most glorious fanes to the glory of God. They stood to-day, whether in ruins or intact, v wonderful memorials of the faith of those who erected them. Tike Ireland for instance ; what was more eloquent of the faith in the

enduring Irish people of the Island of Saints and the Island of Faith than the temples erected to God. There were to be found old churches and old monasteries built in an enduring manner which modern science seemed unable to acquire. Even where in ruins they told of the faith which hai erected them, and where intact they seemed to promise to last for further centuries. There stood ' also in England the old cathedrals, not now, they regretted, used for the celebration of the Catholic religion. But they stood as memorials of what the English Catholics did, and how much their hearts were in the work when they raised these glorious monuments whkli pioniiaed to stand till the end of time. In Scotland there were many valuable and aesthetic specimens of architecture in the old oathedrals still remaining. If in those ancient times when the means were few Buch things were done to the honor and glory of God, what would be expected from those who had been blessed so much. God would bless the givers to the Cathedral Church which they intended to erect, one which would be the glory of the diocese of Christchurch. He was delighted to be there that day and to see so large a concourse of the people of Chrietchurch taking an interest in the laying of that foundation stone. No doubt many of those present that day would gather on that spot again, not in the open air but under the roof of a glorious temple erected to the honor and glory of God. Those who took part in the erection of that Cathedral would have the satisfaction of knowing that their names would be associated with a work which would redound to the credit of the Catholic people of Christchurch, and the beautifies tion of the city. The Archbishop of Wellington also addressed the assemblage. He would refer to that demonstration as a decisive proof of the immense progress which the Church had made in New Zealand, and especially in Christchurch and Canterbury. He remembered that on the site upon which the Cathedral- would be erected there were to be found, only a few years ago, as usual denizens of the spot, the wood-hen, the pukaki, and the wild-duck. It was there that the first missioners, who lodged in a small hut, used to amuse themselves by throwing stones at wild-ducks while they were on their way through Canterbury. But, in a few years, what marvellous changes had been wrought. Let them look around, and glance at the buildings there — at that noble convent, an asylum of learning and of religious instruction for the children, and at the old church, which people were now, perhaps, beginning to look upon with soorn, but which was once looked upon with pride. Twenty-six years ago, when the speaker, as Bishop of Wellington, made his first public entry into Christchurch he found a very small church, which formed the nucleus of the one they could see. It was the pride of the Catholics of Christchurch, and was built by an apostle, the Rev. Father Chataigner, whose name would be immortal in Canterbury. If he had been present that day, how his heart would have been gladdened. He was still living, but was spending his old age in retreat and retirement, preparing for his eternal recompense. Had he been there, his heart would have thrilled, as he would recall his long journeyings in the olden time. He travelled from North to South Canterbury, carrying the requisites of Catholic worship on his back, and was the pioneer of all that progress. He had an eye for the future. He foresaw the growth of Christchurch. He knew that drainage would come. He wanted land and much land, and he got it. He did the same at Timaru, and Timaru would for ever bless his name. Another name suggested itself, that of the Rev. Dean Chervier, who lately departed for his heavenly reward. They could now Bee that there had been an end in view in selecting for the site of the church a large piece of ground, even though it was a lagoon, and all glory should be given to the name of those pioneer priests who, in toil and suffering, sweat and hardships of •very kind, laid the spiritual foundation of the Cathedral which was about to be started. They should look to the past, see what had been done in the life of one man, in the episcopacy of one Bishop, and then look forward to the future. The work they had undertaken was a great one, but they were willing to undertake it, and it would be done. Archbishop Redwood concluded by asking those present to ease themselves of the cheques which were burning in their pockets, and, continuing, said that if they threw them, as it were, on the waters of Divine Providence, they would return and increase tenfold, bringing blessings to the givers, their homes, and all that they held most dear. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr W. Recce) and Mr A. E. G. Rhodes aleo briefly addressed those present in congratulatory terms regarding the great undertaking. The Bishop of Christchurch announced, amidst applause, a donation of 100 guineas which the Holy Father had sent towards the new Cathedral, accompanied with his blessing to all who aid in the good work. He also read apologies for unavoidable absence from the Cardinal-Archbishop of Sydney, the Hon. J. G. Ward, the Bishops of Ballarat, Maitland, Rockhampton, Armidale, and B3veral others. He likewise acknowledged, amidst applause, a donation of 500 guineas, in gold, placed upon the foundation stone by Mr George O'Malley. Other signal donations were, £300 from the contractors (Messrs J. and W. Jamieson) ; Mr Patrick Henley, £200 in addition to a further donation of £1000 contributed to the general building fund ; Mr Loughnan. £50 ; Oamaru Stone Company, £.">0 ; Mr Recce (Mayor of Chrittchurch), £21 ;MrA.E. G. Rhodes, £21. The amount received in cash upon the foundation stone reached the splendid total of over £2000. ARCHITECTURAL STYLE AND DIMENSIONB. The new Cathedral, which will take three years to complete, and cost over £4o,ooo, is to be in the Italian Renaissance style. Very little wood will be used in the building, but it will require, roughly, 100,000 ft of Oamaru Btone, 20,000 ft of Mount Somer's stone, 1000 ft of blue stone, 4000 cubic yards of concrete, and between 80 and 90 tons of iron and steel. The tender of Messrs. Jamieson Bros, for erecting the building has been accepted, and all the zinc will be supplied by Messrs. Wunderlich and Co., of Sydney. In the general dimensions, the sides will have a total length of 204 ft, and a width

of ICjft. The height from the floor to the ceiling of the nave will be 413 ft, to the apex of the roof of the nave 62ft to the top of the dome tower 97ft, to the top of the dome itself 117 ft, and to the top of the cross 122 ft. The nave will be 111 ft in length, including a vestibule, and 42ft 6ia in width. There will be two side aisles, which will pa«w the flanks of the nave right round the sanctuary and choir. Each of these aisles will be lbOft by 12ft. There will be four bide chapels, each 13ft by 17ft, and eight other side chapels, each 13ft by 'Jit. Beside these, there will be a chapel under the flag tower, 14 ft square. The baptistery in the other flag tower will be of the same dimensions. Seating accommodation will be provided for nearly 3000 people. The sanctuary and choir, immediately under the dome, will, together, be 55ft by 2'Jft. The base of the dome itself will be 45ft square, and it will be finished with a cupola of 40ft wide. An inner dome, rising to a height from the floor of 72ft, will be furnished with two ecclesiastical gallerips and a whisper gallery. There will be four vestries, two 20ft by 13ft, and two 13ft by 14ft. Above the aisles and over the side chapels, in the transept, there will be galleries, giving a total gallery space of 302 ft by 12ft, and 52ft by 18ft. The organ loft will be 66ft by 19ft Accesß to these galleries, and also to those over the sanctuary, will be by six iron stairways, four being in the dome tower and one in each of the flanking towers. The internal arrangement of the building will be in the style of a Greek colonnade. The nave will be surrounded by 30 columns, and the back of the sanctuary will be carried by seven columns. This colonnade will be repeated in the second order above, carrying the gallery ceilings. The lower order will be on the lonic or Corinthian principle. Each order will support its whole entablature. The dome internally at the level of the whisper gallery will be carried by a Corinthian colonnade of 2i columns. Externally the building has been designed on the Roman Arcade principle, both the lower and the upper order, the one being lonic and the other Corinthian. There will be the full proportion of arches, including imposts and arch-volts. The pilasters of the order will be in the centre of the pier. Each entablature will be mounted by its full balustrade. The main front of the building will have two flanking towers, surmounted with stone belfries and cupolas, rising to a total height of 108 ft, with pediments for clock faces. The central space of the front, between the two towers, will have a full Corinthian colonnade of four columns, 42ft high, having a full tablature, with a central pediment, surmounted by a cross Bft high, rising to a total height of 80ft. Under the colonnade there will be the principal entrance, in addition to which there will be four flank entrances, besides those of the vestries. Generally, the whole of the building inside and outside will be constructed of stone, with as little woodwork as possible. In fact, only a certain portion of the roof framing will be wood, and all the rest of the building, including the window frames, will be concrete, iron, or stone. The ceilings throughout will be of embossed zinc, the design in its decorations being suitable to the building. The floors of the galleries and the flat roofs over the side chapela aid vestries will all be constructed of concrete, with iron bars added, and expanded steel covering. The roof of the nave has its principals framed with angle-iron and covered with Marseilles tiles. The roofs of the three cupolas are covered with stamped zinc tile^ placed upon rubberoid. One of the internal features of the nave ceiling will be the embossed zinc work, which will be profusely decorated, arranged coffers, surrounding three internal acoustic domes. The whole will be painted and decorated, and will form a ceiling which will resist any damage from wet, and will also have a certain degree of fire-resisting quality. VESPERS. At Vespers in the evening the Pro-Cathedral was again crowded. Pontifical Vespers were sung by the Archbishop of Wellington. Very Rev. Father Lewis, S.M . V.G., was Assistant Priest, Very Rev, Fathers O'Donnell and Marnane deacons. THE SERMON was preached by his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne from the text . ' This i 3 the victory which overcometh the world, our faith.' His Grace said : It is no light thing to undertake to build a cathedral like to the on« of which the foundation stone was laid today. It requires much thought much anxiety, much labor, much skill, much material aid, and, above all, a large fund of practical faith. Yes, it is only the spirit of strong faith that prompts men to undertake such a work, and enables them to carry it to a nucces>Bful conclusion. It is the same spirit that reaches back to the dawn of human history and which manifested itself not only amongst those who possessed the primitive revelation, but also amongst those to whom that revelation was conveyed in f ragme itary parts and broken outlines. The same spirit that prompted Noah to raiae an altar when he came forth from the perils of the Flood, and Moses to build the Ark of the Covenant in the wildeaness, and Solomon to erect the Temple of Jerusalem, the same spirit prompts the untutored savage and the superstitious zealot to provide for the worship of the Supreme Being in some structure suitable for the purpose. Even though the form of worship be not free from error or superstition, still the primitive revelation, even in such cases, is not entirely lost, and an underlying spirit of faith is the motive that urges men to this recognition of the claims of the Deity. The ancient Greek and Roman temples, the Turkish mosque, and the Chinese joss house alike proclaim that it is a common instinct of our nature to set apart a special place for the due celebration of the public worship of the Creator. When the Christian religion was substituted for the old Dispensation, during the first three centuries of persecution in imperial Rome there was no opportunity for raising altars or building churches except in the recesses of the catacombs. Limited as the opportunities were, we find even there ample evidence of the promptings of faith, and the manifestation of religious art in the adornment of the small subterranean chapels in which alone, during these centuries, God could be worshipped in Becurity. But no sooner was peace restored under Constantino than

many of the old Basilicas were converted into Christian temples, and new churches were erected in every part of the Roman Empire. In the pagen of Eusebius, the oldest of our ecclesiastical historians, we find elaborate accounts of the construction and dedication of such churches. In Jerusalem, in Constantinople, in Rome, everywhere throughout the Empire, it was the gladness of joy, he tells ua, to see Christian Temples Arise on Every Side. Under former emperorß, he adds, persecution deprived Christians of every place and opportunity for public worship. But under Constantine all these impediments were removed, and nothing was bo much spoken of as the spacious churches that were rising on every side to enable Christians to celebrate the'mysteries of their faith with becoming solemnity. According as the number of the faithful was increased, and the influence of the Church was making^ itself felt more and more in the conversion of nations, and in the* civilization of rude and barborous peopleß, the very highest effort* of the human mind were employed in embodying in sensible forms the truths of faith, and the facts of revelation for the adornment of the material temple, and for the instruction of the unlearned. The painter and the sculptor were schoolmasters as well as artists in those early days. And thus it came to pass that each of the great cathedrals of Christendom was made to enshrine the patient toil, the artistic genius, a^d the enlightened faith of successive generations. Ab an evidence of that Faith in minute as well as in prominent things, the occasion of the conversion of the elder Pugin, the greatest of modern Gothic architects, may be mentioned. In examining Borne of the old English cathedrals for the purposes of his art, he discovered in the most hidden recesses to which the eye of no ordinary observer could ever penetrate, that the same care and the came attention to details had been bestowed by the builders as were devoted to the parts that were most open to publio view. He conoladed that the builders of these cathedrals must be men of genuine faith, and must have reflected the faith of their age when it was felt that what was offered to God must be complete in every part open and secluded, and when men looked for their enduring reward not to man but to God. He therefore determined to embrace the religion which studded England with such noble cathedral, and which inspired the builders with such practical Faith As then your undertaking involves sacrifice, and as sacrifice for God's glory is founded on Faith, it seems appropriate that 1 would speak to you to-night of some of the characteristics of faith. The more intelligent and real your Faith is, the more zealously will you labor for the accomplishment of the great work to which you have put you hands. What then is Faith 1 It is the firn and undoubting assent which we give on the authority of God's word, to whatever he has been pleased to reveal to up. For an act of faith two things are required • (1) We must believe that God baa spoken, and (2) we must believe that God's word is infallibly true. About the infallibility of God's word no Christian can have any doubt. We most firmly believe that God can neither Himself be deceived, nor can He deceive us. If. therefore, we know that He has made any revelation to us, faith enables and inclines us to receive that revelation with firm and undoubting assent That God has revealed a largo body of truth, we know chiefly on the authority of His Church. She is, as the apostle says, the ' pillar and ground of truth.' She is at once the depositary and the organ of God's revealed truth. That is He has committed to her custody the body of doctrine which is contained both in the Old and NewTestament. And He has also made her the interpreter of that doctrine. On the authority of the Church, therefore, we know that God has revealed certain truths regarding His own nature and attributes, the worship that is due to Him, and our own futuie destiny. But the assent to the revealed truths rests ultimately on the infallible authority of God Himself. If we compare the knowledge we have by faith with the knowledge we have from other sources, we ahall easily understand the certainty and importance of faith compared with any other source of knowledge. Apart from Divine Revelation there arp three other sources from which our knowledge coraee . (1) from the use of our senses ; (2) from the exercise of our reason. and (3) from the testimony of our fellow men. Usually our senses are very liable to deception, and though if all the senses combine in testifying to a fact which properly falls under their observation, they give certain testimony, still such testimony differs entirely from the testimony of faith, both as regards its objects and the motive on which we accept it. (2) Much of our knowledge comes to us from the exercise of our reason. We can derive various conclusions from the stock of knowledge which our senses supply, and thus largely increase our general store. But still such extended knowledge differs not only in its subject matter, but in its certainty from what faith supplies. We may wrongly apprehend the facts from which we reason, or our reasoning itself may be at fault in deriving wrong conclusions from ascertained facts. (3) Again a larga body of our knowledge comes to us from the testimony of our fellow men. They tell us of things we ourselves have not seen, of places we have not visited, of events we have not witnessed, and according to the trust we repose in them, and the probability that they are not themselves deceived nor willing to deoeive us, we accept what they relate as true. But still the testimony of our fellow men is usually confined to facts belonging to the natural order ; oan seldom produce absolute certainty, and never the absolute certainty of faith. By faith then we believe, first of all, what is impervious to our senses, our reason, and the testimony of our fellow men, and, secondly, the motive of our faith is the veracity of God Himself. This ia what the apostle means when he tells us that faith is ' the argument of things that do not appear' and 'the BUbstance of things to be hoped for.' It is

faith that assures us of such things as 'the eye bath not seen, nor the ear heard, nor hath it entered into the mind of man to conceive.' It is likewise the privilege of faith to give substance to onr hopes with regard to the happiness of the future life. Without faith we could have at most but a longing desire and uncertain expectation. But by faith we have a certain assurance that beyond this world there is a kingdom of bliss in whioh all who, like the apostle, ' have fought the good fight,' finished their course and kept the faith will receive the ' crown of justice.' Nn\v thit absolute and nnn"nn btingf belief in God's word and promise is The First Condition He Requireß from those who come into His service. Hence it is that the Bame Apostle says that ' without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that coxneth to God must believe that He is, and is a rewarder to thorn that Heck Him.' Hence, too, the Holy Council of Trent declares that faith is ' tbe root and foundation of justification.' We are bound to know, serve, and love God, but this we cannot do without first believing in Him and accepting His revelation, that is without faith. Without tbe true faith men may be kind, just, charitable, and eminent for many natural virtues, but such natural virtues will never save any one. These natural virtues may and will be rewarded in this life by some earthly blessings, but not by the supernatural reward of heavenly happiness. It is in this sense that St. Augustine says that God gave the empire of the world to the Romans as a reward for their natural virtues But that reward, like every natural reward, ended with this life. From the necessity of faith we may judge how admirable are its fruits. It is not a mere intellectual belief that God requires of us. It is a living, practical, operative faith that worketh by charity. And in proportion as the truths of faith are realised clearly, vividly, and thoroughly, in the same proportion will a man's life correspond with his faith. St. Paul devotes a whole chapter, the eleventh of his Epistle to the Hebrews to a demonstration of the efficacy and fruits of faith even under the Old Law. He refers to the faith of Abel which made his sacrifice acceptable to God rather than that of Cain ; of Noah in building the ark in obedience to God's word ; of Abraham leaving his country and going into the land to which God called him, and in being prepared to offer in sacrifice his only son if God had desired it ; of Moses in ' choosing rather to be afflicted with the people of God than to have the pleasure of sin for a time.' Time, he tays, would fail him to tell of others ' of whom the world ■was not worthy, who for justice sake wandered in deserts, in mountain", and in dena, and in caves of the earth.' All these, he says, v ere ' approved by the testimony of faith.' No one need stray with a lump to guide hit* feet. No one need fall who has a strong Btaff to Hupport him. No servant will linger at his work when he recognises that his master's eye is upon him. But faith is the lamp given us by God to light our way to heaven. It is the strong 6taff he has put into our hands to support us in our weakness. It is the secret monitor that warns us that the all-aeeing eye of God is always upon us. We are I«'d that Abraham walked before God and was perfect ; that is he constantly kept before his mind that he was always in the presence of the Almighty, and hence he served God perfectly. It is your faith that animates you to undertake the building of a Cathedral that will be worthy of your religion and your diocese. Let no one say : It will be too large, too grand, too expensive. You may trust to your zealous and considerate Bishop that he will not lay on you a burden you cannot bear. But within these limits be noi afraid. Be not wauting in generosity when God's glory is concornni. Imitate in some measure Hib generosity towards you. See bow Hp bus blessed your country. Consider with what prof uhod He has dowered your land. Look to these eternal mountains and recognise His power and strength of which they are the emblems. Observe your plains and placid lakes and find an image of His repose and happiness. Think of the mineral wealth He has locked up in your mountains and be assured of His providence. Count, if you can, the trees of the forest, the flowers of the fields, and the fruits of the gardens, all of which are His gifts, and then put a limit on your generosity and say, this much He deserves from me and no more. Remember as David did that you are about to build a house not for man, but for God. That house will be the Cathedral of the diocese, the See of the Bishop. It will enshrine all that is most holy and precious in your religion. Build a house for God such that men passing by and seeing it will not need to ask what manner of house is that ? Build a house that will be a testimony of your faith, an earnest of your hope, and a pledge of your love of God. Build a house and offer it to God, and leave it to your children aa a substantial part of their inheritance. Build a house and have it consecrated to the eervice of religion, and believe that if the glory of God does not fill it visibly, as it once filled the Temple of Solomon, the sacramental grace of God will occupy it not on one occasion only, but from day to day, as long as it lasts, that the eyes of His mercy will be open, and the ears of His compassion attentive to everyone that will pray in that consecrated place. I beg to congratulate all — Bishop, priests, and people — on the work you have undertaken to-day, and I pray that with God's blessing that work may proceed and prosper. Bibhop Grimes, in a short address, thanked the visiting prelates and clergy for having come to assist in the ceremonies of that day, and also all who contributed in various ways to make the proceedings so successful. He announced that over £2000 had been laid on the foundation stone that day, and the sum, he believed, was a record for the Colony for any such function. Mr. E. McNainara then gave a fine rendering of ' Lea Rameaux,' and the solemnities were closed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

THE CONVERSAZIONE. (By Telegraph ) February 12. On Monday afternoon the prelates and visiting clergy proceeded to St. Mary's Convent of Mercy, Colombo street, where a song of welcome was sung by the children of the Bchool and an interesting programme of physical drill and violin and piano selections waa performed, Thanks were returned to the children and the Sisters by tho pr«latßH in complimentary terms The Art Gallery waa crowded to excess on Monday evening on theoooafnon of the eon versa™ one tendered by the, Catholioß of Christchurch to the visiting prelates and priests, all of whom were present. The fine decorations of the building, with the permanent paintings adorning the walls, were still further enhanced by the addition of palms, pot plants, ferns, foliage, and flowers, whilst the reflections from numerous mirrors, placed at intervals, gave a tone of animation to the scene which was most effective. The main part of the building was laid out as a drawing-room and magnificently furnished by the firm of Messrs. A. J. White and Co. The following programme was given — : Part 1 : Piano solo, ' Rigoletto,' Miss Kate Young ; song, ' Rocked in the cradle of the deep,' Mr. E. McNamara (encored) ; song, ' The carnival,' Miss Moir; song, 4 By the blue sea,' (Smart), Mrs. Pidgeon ; song, 'Coming of the king,' Mr. C. Read ; violin solo, Miss L. Cook (encored) ; song, ' Joyous life,' Miss Pender (encored) ; song, ' Come back to Erin,' Miss Pidgeon ; recitation, ' The leason of the watermill,' Mr. H. Hay ward (enoored) ; piano solo, ' Miss McGuinness ; •ong, • Only a rosebud,' Miss Moir (encored) ; song, ' The miner,' Mr. E. McNamara (encored). During an interval in the programme refreshments were handed round. At the close of the conversazione his Lordship Bishop Grimes addressed the audience, and the Arohbishops of Melbourne and Wellington and the Bishop of Dunedin thanked all most heartily for the way they had been received and entertained. On Tuesday afternoon the visiting ecclesiastics were entertained at the Sacred Heart Convent, Barbadoes street, at an excellent and well«rendered musical programme. On the same afternoon they proceeded to Mount Magdala, where they were present at a genuine treat in the shape of a musical and dramatic performance given by the 'children,' a drama entitled • The human soul' being rendered m first-class style, the whole performances reflecting much credit on the devoted nung and those under their care.